Electrical switch



Nov. 24, 1953 J. J. LUCAS ELECTRICAL swrrcn Filed Oct. 22, 1952 F/ci4OUTPUT V; m m Z w WW W J w m 0 T U w U 0 Patented Nov. 24, 1953ELECTRICAL swrron Joseph J. Lucas, Dayton, Ohio, assignor of onehalf toJohn A. Kappeler, Dayton, Ohio Application October 22, 1952, Serial No.316,185

10 Claims. (01. 200-18) This invention relates to electrical switches,and more particularly to a switch unit embodying a pair of identicalswitch mechanisms individually actuated by a common actuator.

The switch herein disclosed is particularly adapted for selectivelyinterconnecting separate input conductors to a common output conductor,and simultaneously therewith interconnecting one of said inputconductors to a second output conductor when the switch is in oneposition of selective adjustment. Such switch has general applicationand utility, one .of such uses being by way of example, to control turnindicator apparatus in automobiles, wherein it serves to connect asingle light bulb filament alternately in a stop light circuit and in aflasher circuit.

The object of the .invention is to simplify the construction as well asthe means and mode of operation of electrical switches, whereby suchswitches may not only be economically manufactured, but will be moreeificient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety ofapplications, having relatively few parts and be unlikely to get out ofrepair.

An object of the invention is to provide a switch unit of the kinddescribed in a compact structure containing a pair of switching devices,as for example, one for right hand turn signals and the other for lefthand turn signals, adapted for foot operation if desired.

Another object of the invention is to present rocker means forselectively actuating a pair of identical switching devices, having acommon connection to such devices, wherein the motion of the rocker armto actuate one device is absorbed without effect in the other device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch unit of theclass described, of general application and utility.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical switchpossessing the advantageous structural features, the inherentmeritorious characteristics and the mode of operation herein mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will morefully appear in the specification, the invention intended to beprotected by Letters Patent consists of the features f construction, theparts and combinations thereof, and the mode of operation, ashereinafter described or illustrated in the accompanying drawing, ortheir equivalents.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, wherein is'found the preferredbut obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of theinvention,

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective, partly broken away, of a switch unit inaccordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the switch with the case broken away;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional side view of the switch mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the movable contact carrier;

Fig. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram.

Similar characters of reference are used throughout the several views toindicate like parts.

Referring to the drawings, a switch unit in accordance with theillustrative embodiment of the invention, comprises .a body it! made ofan electrically non-conductive material, forexample, a molded plastic.The body It is formed with a pair of upstanding end walls I i (oneshown), and a central wall l2 spaced from the end walls II. The centralwall I 2 is formed with a pair of upstanding ears i 3 to which a plateI4 is pivotally connected by means of projecting side fingers [5. Theplate 14 corresponds substantially to the lateral and longitudinaldimensions of the body It and is disposed in aligned overlying relationto the body It as well as in vertically spaced relation thereto.

Before installing the plate l4, there is placed over the body It acasing or cover l6 which is slotted to permit the ears I3 to projecttherethrough, the plate {4 being also in vertically spaced relation tothe top of the cover or case I 6.

In an opening 20, in each Wall ll of the body It, is a switching deviceI1. Sincethe devices l1 are identical, only one is here disclosed indetail. It will be understood, however, that there is a device ll ateither end of .thebody l i], in opposing relation to one anotherandindividually operable by a rocker arm [8, which arm is connected to andmade an integral part of the plate [4 by means of vertical studs 19. Therocker arm 18 is in underlying relation to the plate I4 and is enclosedwithin the case I6. At about its mid point the arm I8 is elevated insuch manner that it can be rockedaboutthe central wall 12 withoutinterference therewith. The opposite ends of the arm [8 extend towardthe respective switching devices l'l. Near each end a stud I9 is madefast to the arm l8 and extends upward through the case I5 into abutmentwith the plate 14, the plate being fastened to the-respective stud byscrews'fl l.

The constructionand arrangementof parts is such that pressure applied tothe plate M on either side of the centralpivot represented .bylateralprojectionsl 5results in the assembly. comprising plate l4, studs|9, and arm 18 rocking about the center wall l2, raising one end of therocker arm I8 and depressing the other end of such arm.

Referring now more particularly to the switching device l1, it comprisesa movable contact carrier comprising a pair of electricallynon-conductive fiber elements 23 and 24 fastened as by screws or rivetsto the upper and lower sides of the adjacent end of the rocker arm I8.To the underside of the carrier, as represented by the element 24, isfastened a conductor bridge or plate 26 having projecting spaced apartspring fingers 21 and 28 which are in overlying relation to electricallyconductive posts 29 and 3| set in the bottom of the opening 20.

The top side of the carrier, as represented by the fiber element 23, hasfastened thereto an electrically conductive element or contact 32. Inopposing complementary relation to the contact element 32 is anothercontact element 33. The latter is formed on the lower end of a plunger34 having a sliding mounting in a bore opening through the upper surfaceof the wall I At the upper end of the plunger 34 is a connection head 36received in a counterbore 31. A compression spring 38 surrounds theplunger 34 and urges the contact element 33 downward or toward thecontact element 32, motion of the plunger 34 and element 33 in thisdirection being limited by engagement of the connection head 36 with thebottom of counterbore 31.

In the bottom of the opening 20, in the wall i, is a stud 39 and inopposing relation to the stud 39, on the underside of the carrierelement 24 is another stud 4|. The opposing studs 33 and 4| provide amounting for a compression spring 4?. which urges the contact carrierand its associated parts upward and tends to move the rocker armassembly in a generally clockwise direction as seen in the drawings. Itwill be understood, however, that since there is a pair of the springs42, one at each end of the rocker arm It and working in opposed relationto one another, the net result is to tend to hold the rocker armcentralized in what may be considered a normal position. Thus, in thisposition of the parts, the spring fingers 21 and 28 are disengaged fromthe posts 29 and 3| while the contact elements 32 and 33 are engagedwith one another. If, however, a rocking pressure is applied to one endor the other of the plate M the arm IE will rock about the wall l2, oneend of the arm being raised and the other end being lowered. Theswitching device at that end of the arm which is lowered in efiectassumes an alternate position of adjustment. Thus, the contact carriermoves downward against the yielding resistance of the associated spring42 and engages the spring fingers 21 and 28 with the contact posts 29and 3| while disengaging the contact element 32 from the contact element33.

As noted, the element 32 is prevented from following the motion of thecarrier element by reason of the limiting of the connection head in thebottom of the counterbore 31. In the other switching device, wherein thedescribed motion of the rocking arm I8 has resulted in raising thecontact carrier, the actuating motion is absorbed in the springs 38which allows the plunger 34 to rise in the bore 31 without disturbingthe engagment between the contacts 32 and 33. Thus, an electricalconnection may be maintained through the contacts 32 and 33 in oneswitching device 4 while the similar connection in the other device isbeing disabled.

In the electrical connection of the various parts, and as may be seenalso in the wiring diagram of Fig. 5, a pair of separate inputconductors 43 and 44 are connected respectively to the contact element32 and to the post 29. Separate output conductors 45 and 46 areconnected respectively to the post 3| and the plate 26. The plate 26 maybe termed a bridging element since it serves to electrically connect theposts 29 and 3| when the contact carrier is in a lowered position ofadjustment. Further, the contact element 33 is continuously connected tothe post 3| and conductor 45 by means of a jumper wire 41. Tracing thecircuit, there is normally no flow through the conductor 44 since in thenormal position of the parts the post 29 to which conductor 44 isconnected is disengaged with respect to its cooperating spring finger21. Thus, the electrical current flow normally occurs by way of theconductor 43 to the contact element 32 and thus through the contactelement 33 and plunger 34 to the jumper wire 41 to post 3| and fromthere to the output side of the circuit by way of the conductor 45. Thecircuit also is opened to the other output conductor 46 at this timesince the bridging contact 26 is suspended out of engagement with eitherpost 29 or 3|.

Upon an operation of the rocker arm assembly to lower a selected one ofthe contact carriers the electrical current fiow is modified in thefollowing manner. Thus with the spring fingers 21 and 23 engaged withthe posts 29 and 3|, and

- with the contact element 32 separated from the contact element 33, theefiective input circuit is shifted from the conductor 43 to theconductor 44. Accordingly, the current flow now is to the post 29, andby way of spring finger 21, bridging element 26, spring finger 28, andpost 3| to the output conductor 45. Also, since the bridging element 26now is energized, there is at the same time a parallel fiow to outputconductor 46.

It will be understood that the input electrical conductors are or may becommon to the pair of switching devices l1. Thus, while the fiow ofcurrent to the output conductors by way of the input conductor 43 isdiscontinued in one device i1 it will be maintained in the other device.

The switch unit remains actuated so long as a holding pressure appliedto the plate |4. When such pressure is released the plate |4, rocker armi8 and cooperating parts in the re spective switch devices |1 tend toresume their normal position under the urging of the springs 42.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An electrical switching device, including separate input conductorsand separate output conductors, a pair of contacts, one of which isconnected to one of said input conductors and the other of which isconnected to one of said output conductors, a bridging contact arrangedto engage and interconnect said pair of contacts, said bridging contactbeing connected to another of said output conductors, another pair ofcontacts, one of which is connected to the other one of said inputconductors and the other one of which is connected to the said other oneof the first recited pair of contacts, and means movable to a firstposition to engage the second recited pair of contacts with one anotherand to disengage said bridging contact from the first recited pair ofcontacts an movable to a second position to effect the reverse of suchrelationship.

2. An electrical switching device, including separate input conductorsand separate output conductors, a pair of contacts, one of which isconnected to one of said input conductors and the other of which isconnected to one of said output conductors, a bridging contact arrangedto engage and interconnect said pair of contacts, said bridging contactbeing connected to another of said output conductors, another pair ofcontacts, one of which is connected to the other one of said inputconductors and the other one of which is connected to the said other oneof the first recited pair of contacts, and a movable carrier supportingsaid bridging contact and one of the second recited pair of contacts,operable alternately to engage said second recited pair of contacts withone another while disengaging said bridging contact from the firstrecited pair of contacts and to disengage the second recited pair ofcontacts from one another while engaging said bridging contact with thefirst recited pair of contacts, said carrier being insulated from thecontacts supported thereon.

3. An electrical switching device, including separate input conductorsand separate output conductors, a pair of contacts one of which isconnected to one of said input conductors and the other of which isconnected to one of said output conductors, said pair of contacts beingin side by side non-contacting relation, a bridging contact arranged tointerconnect said pair of contacts and connected to another one of said.output conductors, a carrier for said bridging contact insulatedtherefrom and arranged for to and fro motion alternately to engage anddisengage said bridging contact with respect to said pair of contacts,and another pair of contacts opened by motion of said carrier to engagesaid bridging contact with the first recited pair of contacts and closedby motion of said carrier to disengage said bridging contact from saidfirst recited pair of contacts, one of the second recited pair ofcontacts being connected to the other one of said input conductors andthe other one being connected to the said other one of the first recitedpair of contacts.

4. A switching device according to claim 3, characterized by springmeans urging said carrier in a direction normally to maintain saidbridging contact disengaged from said first re cited pair of contactsand to close said second recited pair of contacts.

5. An electrical switch unit comprising a body, a switching device onsaid body, including a pair of contact posts installed in said body inside by side non-contacting relation, a bridging element in opposingrelation to said posts and mov able to engage said posts effecting anelectrical interconnection thereof, a movable carrier for said bridgingelement insulated therefrom, a pair or contacts in opposing relation andopened and closed in response to motion of said carrier, one of saidpair of contacts being electrically connected to one of said contactposts, a pair of separate input conductors, one connected to the otherone of said contact posts and the other connected to the other one ofsaid pair of contacts, and separate output conductors, one connected tosaid one contact post and the other connected to said bridging element,said carrier being adjustable alternately to close said pair of contactswhile disengaging said bridging element from said contact posts and toopen said pair of contacts while engaging said bridging element withsaid contact posts, and spring means ltirging said carrier to one ofsaid alternate posiions.

6. An electrical switch unit according to claim 5, characterized by amanipulation rocker arm pivotally mounted on said body and supportingsaid carrier.

7. An electrical switch unit according to claim 6, characterized by asecond switching device on said body identical to the first and inopposing relation thereto, said rocker arm being pivotally mounted onsaid body intermediate its ends and supporting on its ends therespective carriers of said switching devices.

8. An electrical switch unit, including a body, a rocker arm pivotallymounted intermediate its ends on said body, spring means tending to holdsaid arm centralized from which normal position it may be rocked byapplied pressure to either end thereof, a switching device mounted onsaid body adjacent to each end of said rocker arm, each of said devicesincluding an insulated contact carrier mounted on the respective end ofsaid arm, contact means on opposite sides of each of said carriers,mating contact means supported by the body, the contact means on oneside of said carrier in both said switching devices being engaged withits mating contact means in the normal position of said rocker arm andthe other said contact means being disengaged, and a resilient mountingfor one of said normally engaged contact means in each of said switchingdevices whereby to absorb without effect in one switching device arocking motion of said arm initiated to disengage the normally engagedcontact means of the other switching device.

9. An electrical switch unit including a body, a pair of identicalswitching devices mounted on said body in opposing spaced apartrelation, each said devices including opposing contact elements and anintermediate contact carrier shiftable between said contact elementsalternately to close a circuit therethrough, a rocker arm pivotallymounted on said body intermediate its ends and supporting said contactcarriers on its respective ends, spring means centering said arm in anormal position in which corresponding contact elements are engaged bysaid contact carriers, and a resilient mounting for each of saidcorresponding contact elements absorbing motion of one end of saidrocker arm when the other end thereof is moved in a direction to shiftthe respective carrier out of engagement with its respective one of saidcorresponding contact elements.

10. An electrical switch unit, including a body, a pair of identicalswitching devices mounted on said body in opposing spaced apartrelation, 9,

devices permitting an overtravel of either one of said switch elementstoward and beyond normal position when said rocker arm is actuated tomove the other switch element away from normal 5 position.

JOSEPH J. LUCAS.

No references cited.

